Oby Ezekwesili, the former Minister of Education, has intensified her push for the establishment of a new constitution for Nigeria, identifying the existing 1999 framework as a significant barrier to the nation’s advancement.
In a statement shared on her verified X account on Wednesday, Ezekwesili called for a focused amendment to the 1999 Constitution that would empower citizens to elect a Constituent Assembly and conduct a nationwide referendum.
She emphasized the importance of forming a representative People’s Constituent Assembly that would facilitate discussions, develop processes, and create a new constitutional framework.
Following the controversies surrounding the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the recent 2023 elections, the former minister proposed an alternative method for selecting members of the Constituent Assembly.
Ezekwesili pointed out that the 1999 Constitution fosters regional stagnation and hampers national development, underscoring the urgent need for a new legal framework that embodies the collective values and ambitions of the Nigerian people.
“What is essential now is to take decisive action within the boundaries of the current 1999 Constitution to advance the critical dialogue on constitutional reform.
“We must first pursue a ‘Single Issue Amendment’ of the 1999 Constitution through @nassnigeria instead of their numerous minor adjustments.
“This single issue amendment should include provisions that facilitate a citizens-led election for a Constituent Assembly and a nationwide referendum based on its proposals,” she stated.
